What is the difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate

What is the difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate

Are Hot Chocolate and Hot Cocoa the Same Thing?

While both names are attached to a delicious, chocolatey beverage, hot chocolate and hot cocoa are, in fact, different. 

Hot cocoa is made from cocoa powder, sugar, and milk. It’s sweet thanks to the sugar and light in texture. 

On the other hand, hot chocolate is finely chopped chocolate mixed with hot milk. It’s super-rich and thick in consistency compared to hot cocoa. And no it’s not the same as “hot chocolate milk”- which is warming up cold chocolate milk. Also delicious!

Trust me; there’s nothing like drinking a cup of melted chocolate mixed with hot milk and vanilla extract. 

So which one should you drink? Now that you know the difference, I’ll let you decide between this making homemade hot cocoa or a velvety, sweet hot chocolate with peppermint.

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Reader Interactions

Which is better hot chocolate or hot cocoa?

If you have a major sweet tooth, hot cocoa might be the better option. But if you're someone who enjoys richer flavors, hot chocolate is the better choice. Although hot cocoa is the sweeter drink, both hot chocolate and hot cocoa are full of sugar, so neither is really healthier than the other.

Are cocoa and hot chocolate the same thing?

While both names are attached to a delicious, chocolatey beverage, hot chocolate and hot cocoa are, in fact, different. Hot cocoa is made from cocoa powder, sugar, and milk. It's sweet thanks to the sugar and light in texture. On the other hand, hot chocolate is finely chopped chocolate mixed with hot milk.

What is the difference between cocoa and chocolate?

Cocoa and chocolate are both made from the beans of the cocoa pod. They are difference in the step of extracting, and the components inside are not the same. Chocolate is the fermentation of cocoa beans to produce microorganisms and accelerate many nutrients in cocoa beans for maximum efficiency.

Why do Americans call hot chocolate hot cocoa?

Cocoa refers either to the liquid extracted from the beans or to the powder that is a by-product. The powder is used to provide a chocolate flavor to products but doesn't really taste like chocolate—it tastes like cocoa.